Saw an article today about automakers trying to standardize parts to a greater degree than they do now. Toyota was sited as an example of what they are trying to accomplish. Toyota has about three different firewalls for all the vehicles they make while other manufacturers have a firewall that is different for every model. Toyota puts the holes for the wiring in the same place on all the firewalls. A Toyota assembler in one plant can easily go to a different plant and vehicle and do the assembly. This is one of the unseen factors that allows Toyota to profitably build cars when Detroit can not.

 

Woot! Go ToyCo!

That shows foresight on their part (Toyota's).